The Mattole Ecological Education Program works in all six local public schools, providing assistance to teachers for field-based and classroom instruction on ecological topics both local (in the Mattole) and global. Some of these areas inlcude:

	Water Quality - MEEP staff help students experience the importance of mulitple factes of water quality. From effects on local salmonid populations to macroinvertebrate life to suitability for human consumption, water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity are explored through hands-on lessons. Currently, students are engaged in a mycoremediation project using oyster mushrooms to help improve soil and water quality!
Salmon-In-the-Classroom - Throughout the school year, students assist MEEP, other MRC programs, fellow restoration groups, and government agencies with projects designed to improve salmon habitat and reduce erosion. These projects have included mulching decommissioned roads, planting native trees in riparian zones needing revegetation, constructing sustainable trails above salmon-bearing streams, and weaving willow mats. Additionally, classes and guest presenters bring fresh information on salmonids to Mattole students. Recent topics ranged from learning about sea lice-a devastating parasite afflicting both wild and farmed salmon-to learning, from native peoples, about historical salmon-fishing practices.
	In class and field trip activities - MEEP staff work with teachers to bring ecological education to the classroom. Regular field trips transport students to river and creek habitats to study aquatic insects, to the beach and tidepools to study tidepool life, to Mattole forests to contemplate their role in the watershed, and many other locations. Students may assist with revegetation and mulching following road restoration projects. They may also explore the surrounding environs of their respective schools.
Restoration Internships for local high school students: MEEP collaborates with Nick's Interns Program staff to bring natural resource-based internships to local high school students. These internships provide modestly paid professional experience, and interns are placed with a variety of local, state and federal land management, restoration, salmon enhancement, forestry and land trust organizations.

The Mattole Ecological Education Program serves all k-12 students of the Mattole. If you are interested in scheduling educational activities with MEEP staff, or have ideas about an activity you could facilitate, please call Moss at 986-7665 or email C. Moss, Program Coordinator.

Funding for this program is provided by the California Department of Fish and Game, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.